Split Decision

Newton wins second leg of doubleheader

Newton senior Jacob Hill singles to center field during Game One of the Cards' doubleheader at Norwalk on Wednesday. He went 2-for-3 in the Game One loss and threw two innings in the Game Two victory.

By Dustin Turner Daily News Sports Writer

NORWALK — With a scheduled doubleheader against Norwalk on Wednesday, the Newton baseball team dug in for a long day.

The Cardinals came into their games against the Wariors having won back-to-back games for just the second time this season, but they were unable to win the first game and extend their streak to a season-long three games. Newton was able to bounce back in the second game, a slugfest. The games scored 5-3 and 12-10, respectively.

Tyler Wood was on the hill for the Cards in Game One of the doubleheader. He has been one of Newton’s most reliable arms so far this season, but he was unable to subdue the Warrior offense sufficiently, taking the loss. Wood pitched all six innings, giving up five runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks.

Newton took the early lead on the Warriors’ home field. Wood walked to lead off the game, and he was later driven in on a single by senior Taylor Field.

Norwalk answered in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout. Newton got into more trouble, but junior Derek Wrage fielded a lineout then fired to second to double off the runner to end the inning and quelch the Warrior rally.

In the bottom of inning number two, a double to left field just over the glove of Jeff Stanton got things started for the Warriors. A single to right-center put the Warriors on top 2-1.

That score would hold until the bottom of the fourth inning. A single to center field and a double to right put runners on second and third with no outs. The Norwalk batter attempted to squeeze bunt his teammate home. Wood slipped and attempted to flip the ball to Field. Seeing the runner was home, Field tried to make the play at first, but the ball slipped under the outstreched glove of Wrage and the second run came home.

The Cards rallied in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Field drew a walk. Jordan Travis singled up the middle to put runners at the corners. Mike McCormick’s routine grounder was thrown away, and two runs scored to make the score 4-3.

The Warriors added a run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Cardinals went quietly in the seventh.

In Game Two, runs were much easier to come by for both teams. Newton kicked off the scoring with two runs in the top of the first. Chandler Sturtz singled with one out. The inning should have ended on a Travis strikeout, but the ball was dropped, and Travis was safe at first. A single by McCormick brought Sturtz and Travis home.

Norwalk answered in the bottom half of the second with a run, but Newton matched that in their next turn at bat. Norwalk tied the game in the bottom of the third, bringing two runs in.

The Cardinals exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth inning, but not to be outdone, the Warriors took their first lead of the game with a five-run rally in the bottom of the inning.

Newton tied the game with a run in the top of the fifth, but the Warriors took a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Cards were not about to let this one get away from them, however, as they scored four runs in the final two innings to win the game, 12-10.

Jacob Marter picked up the win for Newton. He pitched two innings, giving up three earned runs.

The bats were the story for both teams. Sturtz and Travis led the Cards with three hits each. They each doubled and drove in two runs, and Sturt scored four of the Cards’ runs.

Michael Barr also drove in two runs on two hits and a double. Jacob Hill went 2-for-4 with and RBI and a run scored. McCormick had two hits with an RBI. Field also drove in a run.